The Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, expressed his frustration over the numerous containers of medical supplies from the Global Fund that are stuck at Tema Port.

The supplies, valued at around $40 million, were donated to the Ministry of Health by the Fund to assist in Ghana's battle against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Reports indicate that out of the 182 containers of medical supplies sent to Ghana, only 14 have been cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), leaving the rest detained at Tema port due to unpaid third-party fees.

During an appearance on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana program on Thursday, June 13, 2024, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye criticized the Ministry of Finance and the GRA for failing to clear the supplies.

He pointed out that unnecessary bureaucracy is causing essential medical materials to be stuck at the port when they are urgently needed by Ghanaians.

The Health Minister gave the Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, and the GRA Commissioner-General, Julie Essiam, a two-week ultimatum to clear the remaining medical supplies, warning that they would face consequences if they did not comply.

"I will not tolerate these containers remaining at the port beyond June. They must be cleared this month... If it were up to me, they would have been cleared this morning or three days ago. I don't accept excuses or delays due to bureaucracy. I have given myself and the state two weeks. If they are not cleared by then, the GRA Commissioner-General will not have peace in her office. Amin and Eva will not be able to sit in their offices," he stated.

The minister also threatened to leave his office and join the protesters demanding the release of the medical supplies at Tema port.

Watch his remarks in the video below:

Vexed Minister of Health @OkoeBoye issues a 2-week ultimatum for the release of stuck drugs at the Tema Port#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/5aR69GHZs7

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) June 13, 2024